Set to launch!!


There’s action aplenty on and off the track at Sandown Park tonight.

It’s the Easter Kids Fun Night, with stacks of free activities including Owner For The Day, Easter Bunny races, a giant Easter Egg hunt, face painter, jumping castle and heaps of prizes and giveaways. Lots of fun for the whole family and best off all it’s all FREE!

On the track is the final of the group 2 Launching Pad. An outstanding field of some of the country’s best young pups has been assembled chasing the $150,000 first prize, with some of the best chasers in the country (including last start track record breaker Unlawful Entry and Temlee winner Dalgetty) lining up in the Easter Gift.

Here’s Racing Manager Mick Floyd’s take on the card, including a $10,000 TAB Quaddie Jackpot:

Major Jackpot was super impressive in his Launching Pad semi final win and will jump from the same box (2) tonight. He’s a very fast dog – he broke the 420m record at Lismore in January – but has taken a few starts to establish himself over the 515m and out of these boxes. It’s hard to tip against him, but there’s no value in his price. Buck Forty has drawn perfectly in the red and if he can jump and hold his position on the rail is a lock for the trifectas and that’s where some value can jump in, especially if Major Jackpot misses the start. Keep Dundee Osprey very safe. Despite drawing box 6, he should get a clear run and be well placed at the first turn. Expect to see Hukanui powering home late – if he can keep out of trouble at the start.

Suggested Bet – Rove Buck Forty with field in both trifectas and first fours

In the quaddie, Aqua Cheetah and Nymeria are the obvious picks in the first leg with Ritza Lenny a chance with a clear run out wide. Unlawful Entry will be short on the back of his track record last start, but can he jump like that again? Dalgetty is a professional race dog accustomed to the big stage and is the dog to beat. The third leg is open – give yourself plenty of coverage. Major Jackpot will start an odds on favourite in the last leg, with Buck Forty and Dundee Osprey the obvious dangers.

Quaddie selections – 1,3,8 / 4 (on its own if you want to go short),2,5,6 / 1,3,4,5,6,8 / 1,2,6 – $50 will get you 92.6% the short way, or 23.1% if you go a little wider)

Best bet – Race 9 Zipping Zeus (1)

Follow Mick Floyd on Twitter @mickfloyd

Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s race meeting:

GATES OPEN
6pm
FIRST RACE
7.09pm
ENTRY
FREE
FEATURE EVENTS
9.39pm Race 8: $214,500 group 2 Launching Pad
8.58pm Race 6: $35,500 listed Easter Gift
WEATHER
Get the latest conditions at the track via our on course weather station
IF YOU CAN’T GET TO THE TRACK
TV: Sky Racing (Foxtel channel 519)
Radio: RSN – Racing and Sport (927AM)
ON COURSE ENTERTAINMENT
FREE Family and kids entertainment throughout the night as part of our Easter Kids Fun Night
ON THE BIG SCREEN
Richmond vs Carlton season opener will be shown on the big screen and throughout the venue
HAPPY HOUR
$2 pots of Carlton Draught are available from both the kiosk and the Bold Trease Bar between 6pm and 8pm
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the action on course via social media using the hashtag #LaunchingPad
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Add us on Snapchat – sandowndogs
BETTING
Unlawful Entry has been very well supported in the Easter Gift, and Major Jackpot very popular in multis
TAB is offering fixed odds on the Launching Pad and Easter Gift. Fixed odds for all other races will be available from 5pm
There is a $10,000 quaddie jackpot on tonight’s meeting (quaddie legs race 5,6,7,8)
FORM GUIDE
Get your free Watchdog form guides here
RELATED
Launching Pad semi final review, results and replays
Patience and Persistence Rewarded
The Buck starts here
Unlawful Entry sets new track record